Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we deliver professional recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.
Whether you’re a brand new pet father or mother or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may preserve your furry good friend completely satisfied and wholesome. Stay tuned for professional steering on a spread of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable selections and supply the very best care in your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Help! My Dog Doesn’t Stop Lip Licking!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
My canine Pip is licking her lips for a number of minutes at a time. It even wakes her up. She does it if we’re out strolling, she’s mendacity in her mattress, and so forth. It occurs roughly each hour. Had she obtained one thing flawed together with her?” – Shelley
Hi Shelley,
It’s nice that you’re so observant of Pip’s habits. Frequent lip licking, particularly when it disrupts Pip’s sleep or occurs as typically as each hour, is often an indication that one thing isn’t fairly proper. While occasional lip-licking may be regular, like when a canine is tasting one thing or feeling a bit anxious, persistent episodes such as you’re describing might point out nausea, acid reflux, dental discomfort, and even a difficulty affecting her throat. Some canine additionally lick their lips excessively once they have an underlying gastrointestinal downside, resembling an upset stomach or inflammation. If she’s swallowing so much alongside the licking, it’d counsel regurgitation or reflux.
Since that is occurring so ceaselessly and is even waking her up, it will be finest to have Pip checked by a veterinarian. An intensive oral examination, together with checking for any indicators of nausea, might assist pinpoint the trigger. If this began not too long ago and is progressively worsening, or when you discover different adjustments like decreased urge for food, gulping, or drooling, these can be necessary particulars to share together with your vet. In the meantime, conserving an in depth eye on when it occurs, like whether or not it’s earlier than or after meals, throughout sure actions, or after ingesting, might assist in figuring out any patterns that may give clues to the underlying situation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
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Help! What Do I Feed My Dog Who Has Seizures?
“Hi Dr. Paola,
GusGus is our 5 1/2 lb Pomeranian child. He is 14 years outdated. Since he was a child, he has had seizures, about two a month. Otherwise he’s fairly wholesome. Now older, his again proper leg shivers when he stands, however he does stroll properly. We have fed him Racheal Raes small kibble pet food for a while, however not too long ago have been knowledgeable her pet meals firm was purchased and so they now not present good meat within the course of. What is the perfect dry pet food, small measurement kibbles for our GusGus. I’m so involved about what sources the protein/meat is utilized in dry pet food. We are determined to discover a wholesome meals for him as we love him so very a lot. Thank you” – Jeanette
Hi Jeanette,
I fully perceive your concern about discovering the perfect meals for GusGus, particularly together with his historical past of seizures and now some tremors in his leg. Nutrition performs a significant position in general well being, and as canine age, their dietary wants turn into much more particular.
When choosing pet food, it’s important to concentrate on ingredient high quality. Look for a product with clearly named animal proteins as the primary ingredient (resembling actual rooster, turkey, or fish) slightly than generic “meat meal” or by-products. Avoid meals with substances like corn, wheat, and soy, particularly if they’re listed inside the first 5 substances on the label, and keep away from synthetic preservatives and colorings.
If you’d prefer to dive deeper into label reading, there are many educational resources out there that designate what to search for in pet food. Dogster has hundreds of opinions from different pet mother and father, which may also help present perception into ingredient sourcing and high quality.
It’s 2025, so you possibly can even discover formulation that concentrate on joint and mind well being, which regularly include omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and antioxidants that could possibly be useful. I desire fresh, whole-food-based diets over conventional kibble, as they typically include higher-quality proteins, fewer carbohydrates, and extra bioavailable vitamins. If you’re open to it, incorporating calmly cooked contemporary meals or high-quality freeze-dried options as toppers may present further vitamins and enhance digestibility. Whatever you do, be sure you run it previous GusGus’s vet to make sure it’s a superb possibility for him.
Some final suggestions can be to take your time transitioning GusGus gradually to his new food; ideally, do it over 7–10 days to assist in giving his digestive system time to regulate and stop digestive upset. Keeping an in depth eye on his power ranges and seizure frequency can even information you in making your best option for him. He is fortunate to have such a loving household looking for his well-being!
Best of luck,
Dr. Paola
Help! My Dog Has a Mast Cell Tumor!
“Hi Dr. Paola,
Nikki was not too long ago identified with a Mast Cell Tumor. They put her on 50mg Benadryl (she weighs 67 lbs). Surgery was advisable, however the tumor is on her abdomen and really near ribs, so unsure if clear margins are doable. I’m weighing holistic approaches vs surgical procedure, however the holistic route could be very overwhelming to me. What questions ought to I be asking my vet? And is a 2nd opinion instructed?” – Eadie
Hi Eadie,
I’m so sorry that Nikki is going through this analysis. Mast cell tumors can differ extensively in habits, so gathering as a lot data as doable will assist you to make the perfect resolution for her. Since surgical procedure has been advisable, one of the necessary inquiries to ask your veterinarian is concerning the tumor’s grade and stage, as these affect prognosis and therapy choices. You’ll additionally need to talk about whether or not further imaging, resembling an ultrasound or CT scan, might make clear the tumor’s extent and whether or not clear margins are realistically achievable. If full elimination isn’t doable, ask about various methods, resembling radiation or targeted therapies, to handle any remaining cancerous cells.
A second opinion is at all times a good suggestion, particularly when you’re feeling unsure concerning the surgical consequence. A veterinary oncologist can present worthwhile insights into the dangers and advantages of surgical procedure versus holistic or integrative approaches. To my data, there’s restricted scientific proof supporting holistic therapies for mast cell tumors (MCTs) in canine. While some pure therapies, resembling medicinal mushrooms (e.g., Ganoderma lucidum), omega-3 fatty acids, and turmeric (curcumin), might have anti-inflammatory or immune-modulating results, they need to not exchange standard veterinary care. If holistic medicine feels overwhelming, you don’t have to decide on one path over the opposite; speak to your vet. Many instances profit from a mix of standard therapy and supportive therapies like supplements, medicinal mushrooms, or dietary changes. Just take into account that it’s essential to comply with your physician’s suggestions and keep away from giving something with out their approval and data as a result of pure treatment can typically intrude with different therapies. Your precedence is making certain Nikki’s consolation and high quality of life, so don’t hesitate to ask about ache administration, potential unwanted side effects, and what to watch at dwelling. You’re her finest advocate; noting your observations and gathering all of the out there data and information will assist you to transfer ahead with confidence.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
